Club call

ARKLOW TOWN FC - The hangover from the Christmas period has still not fully gone away with few competitive games scheduled last weekend however as usual there was still plenty of news from Arklow Town Football Club.

The U-10A team got the New Year off to a fantastic start on Saturday with a 40 victory over St Anthony's FC at Lamberton with the goals coming from Liam Shaw and a brilliant hat-trick from Kyle Nolan. Well done lads. The U-13B team also had home advantage over Aughrim Rangers and despite goals from Ryan Doyle and Conor Roche were unable to overcome the visitors who also netted two to end the game at 2-2.

The U-15A team started the New Year somewhat depleted due to injury and faced a tough test against Wicklow Rovers A who had the upper hand the last time these two sides met. Even with an under-strength squad however the Arklow lads put together a great performance and deservedly took the spoils with a 2-1 victory following goals from Ryan O'Donovan and Craig Fox. Further north, at Finn Park, the U-16B team earned a narrow 5-4 victory over St Anthony's FC through goals from Calem Devereux (2), Morgan Harris, Cal Kelly and Alex Tyrell. Well done boys.

Lamberton played host to two friendly games over the weekend with the U-8 boys welcoming Ardmore Rovers and the Leinster Senior League team entertaining St Kevin's Boys FC. A great opportunity for both sides to get match ready for the coming year.

At County level there was disappointment for the Wicklow and District Youth Squad - which included no fewer than 19 Arklow Town FC players - when they suffered a 4-1 defeat to a very strong Wexford side in the FAI Umbro Youth Inter-League competition at Bunclody on Saturday. Darren Dempsey was on target for the Wicklow team. The following day the Wicklow County U-12 squad was in action at Stepaside with two games against St Joseph's Boys FC. Arklow Town FC had eight players on the squad with Jack O'Reilly given the honour of captaincy for the day. Well done to all our lads involved.

The boys from the U-11 squads are looking forward to next weekend when the WDSL Futsal season gets underway at Arklow Leisure Centre. A great innovation from the WDSL which will only serve to improve technical skills for players throughout the county.

And finally congratulations to Shane Murray who has signed for Bohemian FC for the 2013 Airtricity League season. Having played his competitive football with the Arklow Town FC LSL team since his departure from Sheffield United FC during the summer, Shane will be joining another former Town player, Andy Mulligan, who is now in his second season with The Gypsies. Everyone at Arklow Town Football Club wishes Shane all the best with his new club.

For all the latest news, fixtures, results, match reports and lots lots more, don't forget to check out the new Arklow Town FC website at www.arklowtownfc.com.

SHILLELAGH UNITED LADIES FC

The ladies returned to action after the Christmas break last Sunday when they travelled to Wexford to face North End Utd. The girls played brilliantly and really put it up to the league leaders. We created some great chances but were unable to break down the home defence, and despite some heroic saves by Susie Simpson we eventually went down on a 3 nil scoreline.

It can be hard to keep going when results are not going your way but to their credit the girls are showing great unity and desire, and are actually giving as good as they get in this division. Keep at it girls, the experience gained at the higher level will stand to you in the future.

Best of luck this Sunday girls when we travel to face Cloughbawn B in the first round of the Wexford Cup.

The executive committee of the club would like to wish all our managers, assistant managers, coaches, players, parents, supporters and friends a happy and prosperous new year.

There was a limited amount of action on the playing field at the weekend, on Saturday the second team were the only ones in the senior side of the club in action and they got the new year off to a good start with an excellent three points when they defeated Cabinteely FC away by four goals to three in a seven goal thriller. Sean Tobin, Darren Pierce, Warren Gormley and Jim Foley were all on the mark in a victory that consolidates second place in the league table.

Three games took place on Saturday in the junior section, the 11A's moved a step closer to the division one title when they recorded an impressive 5-2 win over Avonmore in the Hockey Pitch, a brace from Frankie Reynolds and one a piece from Craig Anderson, Robbie Hoffman and Brandon O'Brien means they only require one point from their remaining two games to capture the title. Our 13B's made it three wins from three games in the league when they comprehensively beat Ardmore Rovers on a score of 10-4, James Lang and Stuart Cox both hit the back of the net four times each while Dean Noble and Stephen Finlay adding singles. The 15 A's lost out to Arklow Town in Lamberton by two goals to one, Rian Daunt Smyth scored the lone goal. The under 13A's game away to Ashford Rovers was called off. On Sunday the under 10A's lost narrowly 1-0 to Ardmore Rovers in a tight game while the 10C's recorded a good 3-2 away win over Greystones Utd, Conor Leonard helped himself to a brace to make it eight for the season with Finn Egan Barron scoring his seventh of the campaign. Well done to the 12B's who gained their first point of the season in a thrilling 4-4 draw with St Fergals, two from Ryan Murphy and one each from James Bradshaw and Fionn Matthews accounted for the goals. Its great to see this team get their rewards for all their hard work through out the season, its easy to turn out every week when things are going your way but this team turn up every week suffering defeat after defeat but never let it knock their enthusiasm for the game, a lot of credit for this goes to the hard work of manager Brendan Porter and his assistant Michael Galligan, well done lads. The 14B's kept their chance of a place in their shield final alive when they defeated second placed Ashford Rovers 6-1 in The Whitegates, Alfie Heather hit his third hat-trick of the season to bring his total to seventeen in ten shield games, Evan Doyle scored his second of the season with two under 13 players Jack Dunne and Eli Graham completing the scoring.

In the hat-trick corner this week we had three players, two players plundered four goals a piece, both in the same game, James Lang and Stuart Cox were the two players who went goal crazy at the weekend helping the under 13B's maintain their one hundred percent start to the league in a 10-4 victory over Ardmore Rovers, Alfie Heather smashed his third hat-trick of the season [which also includes a double hat-trick] against Ashford Rovers, Alfie notched his three goals for the 14B's in their 6-1 win which keeps them in with a chance of making the shield final well done Alfie, James and Stuart.

The club's Saturday morning academy resumes this week from 11 till 12 on the all weather pitch at The Whitegates, the academy is under the guidance of experienced coach Johnny Dunne and is for kids from the age of 3 years to 8 years so if your child is interested why not bring them along, everyone welcome.

Everyone at Wicklow Rovers AFC were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mary Crofton, Nuala Furlong and Aoife Daly [Piercestown, Wexford] recently, we would like to express our sincere sympathy to their families and friends at this sad time, our thoughts and prayers are with you all, may they rest in peace.

Anyone with information for the club notes or the club website can contact me at 0879108706 or e-mail me at jimmy.nolan09@hotmail.com

For all news regarding the club, check out the club website at www.wicklowrovers.com

NEWTOWN JUNIORS FC

Only one of our teams were in action and it was winning one for the Under 12's as they kept their 100% record in the Shield with a 5-1 home success over Avonmore F.C. They led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from James Crean and Kasper Razniak. Jordan Butler scored their third early in the second half and two goals from substitute Dylan Fitzsimons rounded off the scoring. Among the players who shone on the day were Cian Walsh, Ciara Dease and Colm Flynn.

The following are the fixtures for the week-ending Sat.12th/Sun.13th January 2013; Under 8's away to Glencormac United ko to be confirmed; Under 9's at home to Roundwood F.C. ko Saturday to be confirmed; Under 11's - fixture to be confirmed; Under 12's - fixture to be confirmed; Under 14's away to Ashford Rovers ko Sunday at 12pm; Girls Under 16's away to Trim Celtic ko Sunday at 1pm; Girls Under 18's at home to Peamount United ko Sunday to be confirmed. Fixtures and times are subject to change.

A number of girls from the club are off to the Oscar Traynor in Dublin for Academy assessments on Friday 11th and 18th January. Those players are as follows; U-14 - Erynn O'Brien and Abbie Molloy; U-15 - Amy Guilfoyle, Sinead Horgan, Heather Cullen, Kelsea Parsons, Chelsee Snell, Aisling McDonald and Katie Miley; U-16 - Lucie Ashmore and Cliona Crammond.

Best of luck to all the girls. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Under 18's centre half Becky Cassin who sustained a knee injury in an MGL game last Thursday against the Ireland under 17's and is sidelined for a couple of weeks at the very least.

Two players from our girls Under 18's celebrate their birthdays in the coming week and they are flying winger Amy Murphy and mid-fielder Katie Murphy (no relation). Happy birthday girls from everybody at Newtown Juniors F.C.

On a sadder note Newtown Juniors F.C. send their deepest condolences to the families and friends of Bunty McCabe, Carrie Walsh and Margaret (Margo) Edwards who all sadly passed away in the past week. May they all rest in peace.

For all other queries/matters relating to the club contact Hughie at 087-6987653 or visit our Website www.newtownjuniors.com and you can also find us on Facebook.

NEWTOWN UNITED FC

Two good away win's for our two sides last weekend.

The first team advanced to the next round of the Wicklow cup after a sevengoal thriller away to Ashford Rovers. Two goals from Dean Odlum and a goal each from Cathal McNicholas and John Heffernan sealed the win. The second team had a great 1-nil win away to Division 2 leaders Saints F.C. Conor Eccleston scored the all important goal from the penalty spot in a very good team display.

The following are the fixtures for the week-ending Sat.12th/Sun.13th Jan.2013; 1st team at home to BBK United ko Sunday at 11am; 2nd team away to Conary United ko Sunday at 2pm. Fixtures and times are subject to change.

Everyone in the club extend their deepest sympathies to the families and friends of

'Bunty' McCabe and Carrie Walsh who both sadly passed away in the past week. May they both rest in peace.